Half Russians consider themselves as poor

moscow - Half of the Russian population finds themselves poor, although according to official figures less than 14 percent are poor. Researchers at the Russian Economics University found that 50.4 percent of Russians think they live in poverty, according to a Friday published study.

That figure is more than three times higher than real poverty statistics, reports The Moscow Times. The federal statistics agency estimates the number of Russians living in poverty at 13.5 percent.

But the authors of the study say that many Russians who live above the official poverty line find it difficult to find affordable housing are also considered poor. The report shows that well-trained Russians, especially women, increasingly affiliate themselves.

Approximately 20.3 million Russians earned less than the official minimum subsistence allowance measured between January and September 2016. At present, the minimum subsistence allowance for Moscow is 15,092 rubles (237 euros) per month.